That’s only one question that British Columbians are asking after the BC NDP and the Green Party announced an agreement that could topple the current government led by Premier Christy Clark.
NDP Leader John Horgan and Green Leader Andrew Weaver have stopped short of banding together to form a majority coalition government; instead, the three Green MLAs have agreed to vote in support of an NDP government.
READ MORE:
B.C. Greens and NDP strike deal for ‘stable’ minority government
They’ve come together in what’s known as a “supply and confidence agreement.” It means the Green party has agreed to support the NDP on supply bills, which includes matters that need to be passed in the legislature in order to keep the government running. That includes voting to accept the Throne Speech, or the provincial budget.
Other issues will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The agreement would give the NDP (with 41 seats) and the Greens (3 seats) into a majority over the Liberals (43 seats.)
WATCH: BC Greens announce they will support NDP government
So what does that mean for government right now?
That depends on what Clark decides to do.
In a statement on Monday, she said she and her party have a responsibility to “carefully consider our next steps” before any announcement is made.
There are a few ways it could go from here:
1. Resignation
Liberal Leader Christy Clark
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Clark could resign, which would be the elegant thing to do, Maxwell Cameron, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia, told Global News.
“The graceful thing for the premier to do is resign, but it’s still very much up to her,” he said.
READ MORE: B.C. has a minority government, which rarely lasts long in Canada
If that happened, then Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon would invite the leader of the next largest party (Horgan of the NDP) to form government.
2. Christy Clark tries to beat the agreement
Currently, Clark is still the incumbant premier, and she will remain so until “until the Liberals are defeated in the legislature,” Stephen Tweedale, a student at Simon Fraser University and political blogger, explained.
She could convene the legislature and make her Speech from the Throne, but then because of the other parties’ supply and confidence agreement, they would vote to reject the speech, which is technically a vote of non-confidence in the sitting government.
That would trigger its fall, and Clark would then be forced to resign as premier.
WATCH: What happens when B.C. elects a minority government?
The lieutenant-governor would then have a choice to send B.C. back to the polls or invite the leader of the next largest party to form government.
Why would Clark decide to make a Throne Speech?
If she believes the agreement between the Greens and the NDP isn’t strong enough to hold up, it’s possible the Greens could change their minds and vote to accept the Throne Speech.
“The agreement is absolutely critical,” Cameron said. “If it is clear, if there’s no question that the two parties have agreed on a set of policy commitments, and that they’re able to work together, that’s crucial.
“If it were an agreement that did not look credible, if it looked like there [could be] dissent … if there was even one member of either caucus that wasn’t convinced that this was the right thing to do, that would throw out the agreement.”
02:38
Politics
Highlights from BC Election 2017
01:24
Politics
BC Election: What will the BC Legislature look like now?
01:50
Global News at 11 BC
BC election count results confirm minority government
02:05
Global News Hour at 6
Thousands of absentee ballots counted in an effort to determine outcome of tight B.C. election
11:17
BC election 2017
Presser: What’s next for John Horgan following B.C. election?
10:38
Politics
Presser: What did the B.C. election results tell Christy Clark?
03:34
Global News Morning BC
A closer look at the 2017 B.C. election results
00:55
Politics
BC Election: John Horgan not willing to concede close election
01:01
Politics
BC Election: Green Party leader Andrew Weaver hails ‘historic night for B.C.’
3. Lieutenant Governor steps in
While the lieutenant-governor usually defers to the sitting premier, there’s a chance she might not.
“If the premier insists on a course of action that doesn’t seem credible, and there is a credible alternative in place, it’s also the prerogative of the lieutenant-governor to ask the premier to step down,” Cameron said.
Vancouver’s police chief has written a scathing letter to the province’s police watchdog about an incident last year.
Chief Adam Palmer says the Independent Investigations Office (IIO), which investigates police-involved incidents in B.C., contains “a lack of investigative competence.”
Last November, a Canadian Tire employee was stabbed during a robbery at the location at Grandview Highway and Bentall Street.
A Vancouver police officer was also stabbed and police opened fire, killing suspect Daniel Peter Rintoul.
Now, Palmer has sent a letter to the IIO for its handling of the case.
“The chief is firing a shot across the bow of the IIO,” said former police officer Leo Knight. “Clearly competence is an issue here. It’s been an issue for a significant period of time.”
In the letter, Palmer states:
“IIO investigators arrived…more than three hours after the initial notification.” He goes on to say “the IIO office is approximately a 30-minute drive to the Canadian Tire store.” He then says “IIO investigators appeared to lack the experience and basic understanding of how to process evidence and witness statements…”
In March, the IIO revealed it was taking members of the Vancouver Police Department to court, including Palmer, claiming police are failing to co-operate with their investigation.
“The officers who witnessed the incident have yet to be interviewed since Nov. 10, 2016,” said Marten Youssef with the IIO. “That’s the issue in the petition that we’ve highlighted. Concerns that have been raised by chief Palmer are obviously concerns that we are going to be addressing.”
Critics of the IIO say it is time for an overhaul.
“There’s a good argument to be made for blowing it up and starting over again,” said Knight. “Fundamentally, I think the way it’s working right now is that it’s not working, it’s not functioning.”
Budweiser Gardens will be the setting for Wednesday’s highly anticipated public participation meeting on London’s controversial bus rapid transit plan.
READ MORE:
A timeline of London's Bus Rapid Transit debate
Interest in the $560-million plan exploded earlier this year as the city unveiled details regarding where the routes would go and the impact they would have.
The details have sparked both passionate support and opposition.
Down Shift, a group made up of downtown merchants and residents, have pushed for major route changes while Shift Happens, a group of transit riders and supporters, have called on council to keep the proposed routes and continue with the plan.
Both groups are expected to attend Wednesday’s 4 p.m. meeting.
READ MORE:
Richmond Street business owners raise concerns over London bus rapid transit plan
Two proposed routes are at the core of Wednesday’s meeting. The north corridor which starts on Clarence Street and includes a 900-metre tunnel that runs below Richmond Row and resurfaces on Richmond Street near St. Joseph’s hospital and King Street, which runs one-way going east but could be reduced to one lane of vehicle traffic with dedicated bus lanes running east and west.
Mayor Matt Brown, who made rapid transit for London a central part of his 2014 election campaign, supports the tunnel and the plan. Brown told AM980 he isn’t worried about Wednesday’s meeting getting heated.
“I’ll approach it the way I always do. We expect to have a respectful decorum, I expect nothing less from London. We’ve been through meetings like this in the past and I’m confident things will go well,” he said.
The overall price tag is $560 million, that includes $130 million from the city of London, which will be paid through development charges, the rest will come from the Ontario and federal governments.
READ MORE:
City facing $53M lawsuit by developer over transit proposal
The BRT plan itself was approved by city council last year. The system would see high-frequency buses running on L and 7 shaped corridors, both running through the downtown.
Budweiser Gardens, the setting for Wednesday’s showdown, has publicly stated it wants changes to the plan, saying their ability to attract big-name acts could be impacted. Their concern is the routes would make it difficult for high-profile and complicated acts to load and unload their shows.
Brown hopes a couple hundred people will show up for the meeting. He says city hall booked the arena because other venues were already taken.
READ MORE:
Council to decide on alternate routes to London’s rapid transit path
Ward 6 Coun. Phil Squire has been a vocal opponent of the proposed routes. The 900-metre tunnel runs right through his ward. Squire says he thinks the meeting will be well attended.
“I know that in my neighbourhood there’s not only signs, there’s signs for the meeting and there are signs directing you to go to the meeting so this has a high level of public interest,” he said.
The meeting will start with a presentation about London’s rapid transit plan, followed by an open mic session. Councillors will also be able to ask city staff technical questions before the meeting comes to an end.
City councillors will vote on the proposed routes May 15 and 16.
A new report being presented to city council on Wednesday shows sexual offences in Calgary jumped by 20 per cent last year.
The annual update on the Calgary Police Service, presented by the Calgary Police Commission, provides an overview of police activities and includes a look at Calgary’s crime statistics.
According to the report, 539 sex offences were reported to Calgary police in 2016, compared to 446 in 2015.
“A few factors have likely resulted in a reporting increase of sex assault, which is traditionally one of the most under-reported crimes,” the report states. “These include significant efforts to elicit reporting including the province-wide ‘I Believe You Campaign’ —; as well as strengthening the CPS relationships with community partners such as Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.”
“The national awareness of sexual assault issues was heightened by the significant media coverage of the Jian Ghomeshi case, as well as coverage of the Justice Robin Camp story.”
In a Wednesday news conference, Staff Sgt. Melanie Oncescu from the Child Abuse Unit said she thinks the stigma around reporting sexually-based offences has been significantly reduced over the years.
“Ten years ago nobody talked about these offences, they just weren’t spoken about.”
WATCH: Calgary police believe stigma in reporting sexual abuse being reduced.
The report also indicates Calgary saw a 12.8 per cent spike in domestic violence reported in 2016 compared to 2015.
“Domestic violence rates have been steadily rising over the last few years and 2016 has experienced the largest increase in recent years,” the report reads. “The increases are largely represented by cases involving common assault.”
The report states that while domestic violence rates do correlate with Calgary’s economy and unemployment rates, it is not thought to be the cause of the increase.
“Healthy families can weather economic troubles without having violence become part of their lives.”
According to the report, Calgary recorded 30 homicides in 2016, a drop of 16 per cent from the 36 recorded in 2015.
In addition, the number of robberies decreased by 14.6 per cent.
READ MORE:
Calgary man charged with sexual abuse was student teacher, educator: resume
Residential break and enters dropped by 11.2 per cent while commercial break and enters remained largely unchanged, up by just half a percentage point.
According to the report, Calgary police received 559,594 calls for service in 2016, a 1.5 per cent increase compared to 2015 and 10.4 per cent above the five-year average
“When considering the deepening economic pressures impacting Calgary it is not surprising the past two years experienced similar crime volumes and call for service volumes,” the report states.
READ MORE:
Census 2016: For the 1st time, more seniors than children living in Canada
The report also indicates drug enforcement efforts throughout 2016 shifted away from cocaine and cannabis —; to methamphetamines and opioids.
“Both drugs have appeal to the supply and demand side of the drug market due to the higher profit margins and a stronger high,” the reports states. “In addition, opioids such as fentanyl appeal to a wider demographic due to their similarities with other prescription pain medication.”
“Methamphetamines on the other hand, result in a powerful high often associated with an increase in risk taking behaviours and have been strongly correlated in arrests of prolific, high-risk offenders.”
The report will be presented during a meeting of community and protective services.
Rising water levels in the Rivière des Prairies has caused flooding in parts of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and Île Bizard, in Montreal’s West Island.
BREAKING: According to fire dept about 30 homes now been evacuated in Pierrefonds. @Global_Montreal pic.twitter杭州桑拿/7g151rE6We
— Billy Shields (@billyshields) May 3, 2017
The City of Montreal issued a statement Tuesday saying water levels are continuing to rise.
Spokesperson Philippe Sabourin said the city will provide sandbags 24 hours a day so residents can protect their homes.
READ MORE: Rigaud residents brace for another round of flooding
Al Burr, who lives on de Gaulle Street, said it’s the worst flooding in over 30 years.
WATCH: Pierrefonds-Roxboro Mayor Jim Beis addresses flooding issues
“I’ve never seen it like this,” he told Global News.
“Usually at the end of the street, there’s a little turnaround there close to the water. I’ve seen it come up close to there, but not even on the road.”
Burr said the flooding took place in a matter of hours.
Pierrefonds and Île-Bizard are now struggling with floods. water level was rising fast, some people had to leave quickly. @Global_Montreal pic.twitter杭州桑拿/UVUO9VPoVC
— Yannick Gadbois (@yangad77) May 3, 2017
Sabourin said the corner of Pierrefonds Boulevard and Saint-Jean Boulevard has approximately seven centimetres of water, but cars can still make their way through.
Bad flooding here on de Gaulle in #pierrefonds. Worst in 37 years according to some residents. @Global_Montreal. pic.twitter杭州桑拿/SoXIuaQWvm
— Dan Spector (@danspector) May 3, 2017
The City of Montreal is monitoring water levels in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
In addition, the Town of Pincourt also stated it is at risk of flooding.
“Right up until now, we’ve never had this problem,” Burr said.
“So, why is it doing it now? I haven’t got a clue.”
I think this could now be termed a “Pierrefonds school bus.” Neighbour helping out. @Global_Montreal pic.twitter杭州桑拿/0GYvjQlmr8
— Billy Shields (@billyshields) May 3, 2017
Andrew Szyngiel, a longtime Pierrefonds resident, said the area hasn’t seen flooding of this magnitude since 1974.
“There’s about a foot of water in the garage,” Szyngiel said.
“We’ve never had water in the garage before.”
Related
Kitchen fire in Pierrefonds-Roxboro leaves family stranded
TORONTO – The Toronto Real Estate Board says there is fresh evidence indicating that speculation and foreign ownership make up a small component of the city’s housing market, raising questions about the need for Ontario’s plan to tax foreign speculators.
The board released new data on foreign buyers at the same time as it reported that prices continued to soar last month, though there were signs the market may be cooling as the number of transactions slipped.
TREB says that between 2008 and April 2017, the average share of foreign buyers of properties in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region, which stretches from the Niagara Region to Peterborough, Ont., was 2.3 per cent.
It says during the same time period, the share of homes that were bought and sold within one year of the original transaction – an indication of speculative activity – was also low.
READ MORE: Ontario government to impose 15% tax on foreign homebuyers, expand rent control
In 2016, less than five per cent of transactions fit that definition, while in the first four months of this year, it went up to seven per cent.
TREB says its analysis was based on property assessments and land registry data in the province.
The new data came as the average price for all properties in the Greater Toronto Area last month rose to $920,791, an increase of 24.5 per cent compared to a year ago. That was slightly below the 33.2 per cent year-over-year increase in prices in March.
TREB says there was a dramatic increase in the number of new listings, which rose by 33.6 per cent since April 2016. But it also found the total number of sales in the Greater Toronto Area in April was down by 3.2 per cent from a year ago.
VIDEO: How skyrocketing Toronto house prices could impact Nova Scotia
London city council approved $5.2 million in cleanup and development subsidies Tuesday, including the much-debated removal of contaminated soil at Camden Terrace.
After weeks of debate, council moved forward with the request for a $2.7-million subsidy for Rygar Properties Inc. to help clean up the site of their proposed high-rise on Talbot Street.
Rygar is planning a $300-million multi-tower development that includes a nine-storey, a 29-storey, and a 38-storey building.
READ MORE: Controversial downtown London skyrise denied full cleanup funding
Last month, the subsidy was questioned by a city committee as to whether the full amount was necessary. Since Rygar plans to build a four-storey parking garage, councillors argued the soil would be excavated regardless.
“Prior to the application for the grant, all indications were this was full steam ahead,” said Coun. Stephen Turner during the debate Tuesday night.
“This is but a percentage of the entire project, I don’t see this as necessary in order to make the project go forward.”
Turner, who voted against the subsidy, said the grant shouldn’t be awarded just because other projects were subsidized.
Coun. Jesse Helmer put forward a motion to have the subsidy reduced by about $200,000 to encourage the disposal of the contaminated soil at the city dump.
“I think if we put a little constraint on the budget, it’s more likely that it’s going to end up in our landfill, which I think is the more environmentally responsible thing to do, it’s the cheaper thing to do, and then we get that money back,” he said.
Ultimately, council approved the full ask for Rygar.
Council also approved a $2.5-million subsidy for Sierra Construction for their cleanup and development of the old McCormick factory on Dundas Street.
James O’Reilly installed a security camera in his house in case of a break-in, but he never imagined he’d watch his home burn down through that lens.
“As soon as it starts, the video, you can see the smoke hitting the side window,” O’Reilly told Global News.
The video of his “red wall” burning went viral around the world. (Scroll down to see the video.)
Related
One year after Fort McMurray wildfire, experts warn of increased threat
One year after wildfire, was the evacuation of Fort McMurray called at the right time?
Fort McMurray wildfire: 1 year later, bride who fled the flames reflects on past 12 months
READ MORE: Homeowner watches his Fort McMurray house burn on security cam
In the video, you hear the roar of the fire followed by one of his windows breaking because of the heat.
Moments later, smoke fills the room, and eventually blocks the camera.
O’Reilly and his wife had just fled Fort McMurray when they stopped to watch the video, live.
“We had people, whenever we stopped and talk to people about the fires and they would actually mention to us about this house they had saw on fire,” O’Reilly recalled.
“We’d have to say, ‘that’s our house.’”
Watch below: James O’Reilly watches his Fort McMurray house burn on security cam
Their 1974 bungalow in the community of Abasand burned to the ground, but their new home will be ready this summer.
“The things we loved about this place, we accentuated, where we couldn’t have before.”
Builders work on a new home in the Beacon Hills area after wildfires last year destroyed most of the neighbourhood in Fort McMurray, Alta. Friday, April 21, 2017.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
The rebuild is well underway all around Fort McMurray.
Sounds of backhoes digging holes, foundations being poured and hammers are all the soundtrack of the hardest hit communities.
READ MORE: Fort McMurray wildfire: 1 year later, delayed rebuild underway
Some 650 building permits have already been approved, after over 2,500 individual homes burned down in the 2016 wildfire.
Darrin Eckel of Vis-Star Homes says the pace of construction is only going to pick up.
“We have on our books 30 builds (homes) that we’ve started,” Eckel said.
“We have about six holes in the ground already (this spring).”
However, not everyone is coming back to this community.
Municipal officials estimate 20 per cent haven’t returned after last year’s evacuation.
READ MORE: Feelings of hope, uncertainty one year after Fort McMurray wildfire
Empty lots are for sale throughout Fort McMurray as some are taking their insurance money for their homes and leaving.
But O’Reilly is the opposite. He can’t wait to return.
He and his wife are counting the days until he gets the keys, knowing it could take years until all of his neighbours return.
After wildfires destroyed part of the city last year a welcoming sign sits greeting people as they enter Fort McMurray, Alta. Friday, April 21, 2017.
The seven-man, seven-woman jury in the William Sandeson murder trial saw more of his police interrogation on Wednesday.
Sandeson, 24, stands accused of killing 22-year-old Taylor Samson. Both men were students at Dalhousie University when it’s alleged the crime took place. Samson was studying physics and Sandeson was about to start his first year of medical school.
READ: Murder trial hears from police, Taylor Samson’s girlfriend
Det.-Const. Roger Sayer, a member of the Halifax Regional Police, was once again called to the witness stand by the Crown. The jury didn’t hear from Sayer on Wednesday, instead, continued watching Sandeson’s interrogation video.
In the video, a police officer repeatedly asks Sandeson what happened at his apartment, where Taylor Samson is and whether or not he’s still alive. Sandeson is often seen crying and breathing heavily in the video. He remains silent for quite some time while an officer questions him, asking if he’s telling the truth and pressing him to describe exactly what happened the evening Samson was last seen alive.
Eventually, Sandeson tells police that intruders broke into his Henry Street apartment when Samson was there. The plan, according to Sandeson’s interrogation video, was to scare Samson over his drug dealing.
READ: Jury in William Sandeson murder trial sees police interrogation video
Sandeson said the intruders asked him to turn off the surveillance video he had set up. Once it was off, Sandeson said he heard a single gunshot and believes Samson may have been shot in the back of the head.
After that, Sandeson tells the officer that the intruders removed Sandeson in a large black bag, which also contained a quantity of marijuana. The court previously heard that Samson and Sandeson had planned to meet up on the night of Aug. 15, 2015 as part of a pre-arranged drug deal to sell 20 pounds of marijuana for $40,000.
Sandeson told the officer who was questioning him that he didn’t follow the intruders or see where they went with Samson once they left his residence. Instead, he stayed behind and cleaned up the scene.
READ MORE: Murder victim last seen at William Sandeson’s apartment building, prosecutor tells jury
The interrogation video ends with a police officer reading Sandeson his rights and informing him that he is being placed under arrest for murder.
The trial is now in its third week. Testimony is scheduled to resume Thursday morning at Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax.
Labatt Memorial Park is marking the 140th anniversary since the first pitch was thrown from home plate.
Originally named Tecumseh Park, the baseball stadium near the forks of the Thames River is the world’s oldest continually operating baseball grounds, opening on May 3, 1877.
READ MORE: Canada’s Baseball Hall Of Fame class of 2017
“There were things that were different then. The outfield fences weren’t there, that’s where the buggies parked,” said Santry.
“People sat out there and watched the game, and that sort of formed the line for the fence.”
Today, the baseball stadium seats 5,200 fans.
“In 1877, London was in the International Association and it was baseball’s first minor league,” said baseball historian Joe Santry.
READ MORE: Delgado, Stairs, Alou among picks for Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
“The International Association had better players than the National League at the time, more hall-of-famers.”
The first game ever played on the field was between the London Tecumsehs and its junior team, the London Atlantics. The Tecumsehs won 5-1 in front of a crowd of about 1,000 fans.
The grandstands have been replaced three times since then, the first time due to the flood of 1883.
“For 40 years it didn’t have a team in the park. Usually, when that happens, the neighbourhood tears down the park and they build houses, but the park has stayed,” said Santry.
The longest running team that has called the stadium home is the London Majors, which was formed in 1925.
The baseball stadium was renamed the John Labatt Memorial Athletic Park on Dec. 31, 1936, after a $10,000 donation from the brewing company to renovate the park and turn over the deed to the City of London.
On May 30, 1994, the park was designated a historic site by the council of the day, following a lobbying effort by the group Friends of Labatt Park.
The London Majors’ home-opener is on Friday, May 12, 2017 against the Burlington Herd, first pitch is set for 7:35 p.m.
